Gifts That Give, Part 2: Sea Life

If you know someone who feels strongly about a cause, consider giving a gift that is put out by a charitable organization. You could just make a donation in their name, or you could buy something tangible that will remind the person of the organization or cause. Here are a few ideas for people who care about wild animals and nature. I would love to get these, and I bet any other animal lover would too! (You may want to do your own research to choose an organization you think is particularly worthy of your donation. )

Dolphin Communication Project Adoption -  This organization is dedicated to research and education around dolphins. You can choose to sponsor one of 23 dolphins. You get an adoption certificate, photograph, biography of your dolphin, a DVD about dolphins, and more. You can keep track of when your dolphin was last seen, via their website. Adoption costs $35.

Dolphin Research Center Adoption - This will be particularly exciting to you if you live near, or often visit, Grassy Key, Florida. The $50 "Dolfriend" adoption option gets you free admission for two people to the facility for a whole year, plus a guest pass, as well as the usual adoption certificate and dolphin information and photo. You also get to access their Members Only section of the website. Also, if you pay a little more money, you can do wicked cool things like hug a sea lion, play with a dolphin, or swim with dolphins!!! I wish I lived in Florida!

Loggerhead Marine Life Center Gift Shop - Really cool turtle-themed gifts for everyone. I really want the hatchling snow globe. 

Marine Mammal Center Gift Shop -  They have tons of cool gifts here, including sea animal adoption packages, toys, clothes, jewelry, and books.

National Marine Life Center Adopt An Animal - For $35 you can adopt a patient at the National Marine Life Center! You can choose who you want to adopt. Will it be a beautiful sea turtle or an adorable seal?

Oceana Adoption Program - You can adopt a shark, seal, whale, dolphin, penguin, octopus, clownfish, ray, or puffin. For $50 you get a stuffed animal and an adoption certificate!

Pacific Whale Foundation Adoption Program - This organization works to protect whales, dolphins and turtles in the Pacific ocean. You can choose to adopt a whale, dolphin or turtle for $75. You'll get an adoption certificate, the story of your sea animal, map of where it was last seen, a stuffed animal, and a tote bag, You can choose the specific animal to adopt. If you want to shell out $750, you can even name a future animal! It has to be a nice name though.

Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Cruise - If you are going to Maui, surprise someone you're traveling with, by signing up for an eco cruise! These cruises only take a few hours. You'll get to watch whales or dolphins!

Pacific Whale Foundation Gift Shop - This gift shop has something for everyone! Tons of stuff to choose from!

Sea Turtle Adoption - For $30, you'll get an adoption certificate, a Sea Turtle Conservation Guide, a membership window cling, a sea turtle sticker and bookmark, a hatchling magnet, and a one-year subscription to STC's membership publication. You can go on the website and track where your turtle friends are traveling! You can also choose to name a new turtle.

Sea Turtle Patient Adoption - When sea turtles get sick or injured, where do they go? Hopefully, to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach, Florida! Turtles who end up there get state-of-the-art veterinary care. You can adopt a turtle patient and help pay for his treatment... because turtles don't have jobs and cannot pay for themselves! For $50 you get a stuffed turtle, a tote bag, a "Proud Parent" sticker, a photo of your turtle, and educational information about sea turtles.

Shark Angels - This organization works to protect sharks and educate people about them. For $50 you get a shark puppet, adoption certificate, photo, a shark sticker, and your name on the website! They also have a lot of cool things in their online gift store.

Gifts That Give, Part 1: WIldlife

If you know someone who feels strongly about a cause, consider giving a gift that is put out by a charitable organization. You could just make a donation in their name, or you could buy something tangible that will remind the person of the organization or cause. Here are a few ideas for people who care about wild animals and nature. I would love to get these, and I bet any other animal lover would too! (You may want to do your own research to choose an organization you think is particularly worthy of your donation. )
Bat House Kit - For the person who loves bats and wants to have them in his yard, here is a kit that has everything you need to make your own bat house. It is designed to be easy enough for children as young as 6 to do. Proceeds go towards Wildlife Forever, an organization dedicated to conservation efforts and the education of children about conservation. $32.95.

Bluebird House Kit - This simple kit allows you to put together a blue bird house. (By the way, bluebirds are different from blue jays. And they don't kill other birds.) It is designed to be easy enough for children as young as 6 to do. Proceeds go towards Wildlife Forever, an organization dedicated to conservation efforts and the education of children about conservation. $32.95.

Born Free - This program allows you to adopt either a species of animal, or a specific animal living in one of their sanctuaries. This is a monthly payment program for 2.50 pounds (or $3.79 US dollars) per month. You get a stuffed animal, photo, adoption certificate, the animal's story, a magazine subscription, and a window decal.

Defenders Of Wildlife Species Adoption - This site has 32 animals to choose from. The adoption fees vary by animals, but for $30 to $50 you get a stuffed animal, animal fact sheet, photo, and adoption certificate. 

International Animal Rescue - This site is a little more expensive... you can pay $6 monthly or $72 for a year. For this site you are helping to sponsor a specific animal that is living in a sanctuary... animals that have been injured (often by humans) and cannot take care of themselves in the wild. You get a stuffed animal, adoption certificate, framed photo, and animal fact sheet. You also get to log onto the site whenever you want to view members-only information about the animal you are sponsoring, such as updates on his welfare. Your choices for adoption are orangutan, sloth bear, or slow loris.

National Wildlife Federation Species Adoption - This is another site with a ton of choices of animals to adopt. For $30 you get a stuffed animal, an 11X14 color poster of the animal, and an adoption certificate. For the same amount, you can adopt a wild animal baby, and get a stuffed animal, adoption certificate, and story card with information about the animal.

National Wildlife Federation Gift Store - The store has toys and games,  clothes and accessories for kids, clothes and accessories for adults, home decorations, and gardening and birding gifts. These are for all different prices. They also have magazine subscriptions, including Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr.

One Special Rhino - This is a children's book, actually written and illustrated by fifth graders, about the true story of a rhino born in captivity, how the species is in danger, and how children can help to save the rhinos. Proceeds from the $13.00 book go to the International Rhino Foundation. 

Silver Rhino Pendant - A sterling silver rhino pendant handmade in Indonesia. It is only $25, and the money goes to support the International Rhino Foundation.

Sierra Club Species Adoption - This adoption program has 17 choices of animal species that you can adopt. For $39 you get a stuffed animal, a sticker of the animal, an adoption certificate, and a booklet with animal facts. For $79 you also get a backpack.

Sierra Club Membership - It looks like you can join the Sierra Club for as little as a one time $15 donation. You become a member of your local chapter, and can participate in member-only outdoor adventures. These include worldwide trips, and local day trips such as hikes. You also get a magazine subscription and a messenger bag.

Snow Leopard Trust - All sorts of gifts... clothes, toys. home decor, books, accessories, pet products and more... that support this organization that is dedicated to protecting snow leopards. 

Tigers Forever -  "National Geographic photographer Steve Winter spent a decade in search of wild tigers, devoted to capturing their magnificence and telling their story. Tigers are in trouble, and his quest for photographs became his way to address the plight of this magnificent cat. His goal: to reinvigorate global concern--while there’s still time." This book is full of both information, and beautiful photographs of tigers. 10% of the proceeds go towards Panthera's Tigers Forever program.

Wolf.org - A gift shop with clothes, jewelry, toys, books, and more. Proceeds support International Wolf Center, which works to educate humans about wolves and to dispel the myths that often cause people to hate and fear these beautiful animals.

World Wildlife Species Adoption - Symbolically adopt or "sponsor" an entire species! For  $55 you get a plush animal, an adoption certificate, a photo, a "species card" with information about the animal, and a gift bag to put it all in. They have a ton of choices of animals, from elephants to butterflies to aye aye aye lemurs. You can even adopt a "sniffer dog," a dog whose job it is to sniff out illegal animal products such as bones and tusks in airports.

World Wildlife Games, Clothes, Etc. The gift shop includes a cool tiger puzzle, a couple of kids' games, T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more. The price of each of these is a $55 donation.

Zoo Animal Adoption - Your local zoo (or the zoo that is local to the person receiving the gift) most likely has an animal sponsorship program, with added bonuses that other sponsorship programs can't offer. For instance, Brookfield Zoo's Share The Care Program gives you, for $50, a stuffed animal, photograph, window decal, animal fact sheet, and an invitation to a special event... plus, you actually get to see "your" animal in person when you go to the zoo! If your local zoo doesn't have such a thing, or if you don't live near a zoo at all, you could try the Audubon Institute's adoption program. For $50 you get an adoption certificate, photo, fun facts sheet, and stuffed animal. The Smithsonian National Zoo offers a similar package for $65.

Dalmation Vet Kit

Dalmation Vet Kit
Ages: 2 and up
For the child who loves animals and wants to care for them, this toy Vet Kit is one of the best I've seen for the money! It contains a stethoscope, brush, syringe, thermometer, bowl, tray, pair of tongs, mirror, hammer, blood pressure meter, pair of scissors, ear examiner,and tweezers. It also comes with a stuffed Dalmation. Of course children could use this kit with any of their own stuffed animals, but the Dalmation is included to help them get started in their pet care play right away! (The medical instruments are TOYS, remember, so they do not really work. On Amazon, a few reviewers were disappointed by this.)

Spring Loaded Rocking Horse

When I was a little kid, I had a rocking horse. It wasn't just a little, ordinary horse on rockers though. It was on springs! I would climb aboard, and I could rock back and forth, with the horse's nose and tail almost touching the ground each time I rocked. I could also bounce on it. It was my favorite toy and I can remember rocking wildly on it, feeling so happy, my pig tails flying behind me.
My horse looked kind of like this.

They still make horses similar to this, although now of course they are full of safety precautions, like seatbelts and spring covers. Plus, they do extra things like make noise and talk and stuff. Here are two that I found.




Radio Flyer Blaze Interactive Riding Horse
Ages: 2 to 6 (up to 60 pounds)
This horse has a realistic mane, a brush to care for the mane, and pretend carrots to feed him. When you feed him the carrots, Blaze makes eating sounds. It has an X-frame with a step on it, so children can easily get on the horse without having to clamor and slide onto it the way I had to when I was young. You can walk, trot and gallop, and the horse makes different sounds depending on how fast you are going. Blaze is made by our old favorite, Radio Flyer!




Rockin' Rider Maverick Plush Spring Horse
Ages: 2 and up (up to 65 pounds)
Made by a company that specializes in rocking horses, Maverick has soft fur that makes him feel like a giant stuffed animal. His stirrups can be adjusted to three lengths, so that the child can continue to ride as she grows taller. If you press one of his ears, he sings a song called "I'm A Little Pony." When you press his other ear, he makes a variety of horse sounds. This horse also has volume control that parents can set if they are easily annoyed by noisy toys. (Both of these horses would also work perfectly well without any batteries in them... they just wouldn't make the noises. That might be preferable to some parents!)

Any kid who enjoys rocking toys will love to have one of these horses!

Dizzy Disc Jr.

Dizzy Disc
Ages: 2 and up
Do you know someone who loves to spin?
For years I have wanted one of these for myself, ever since I first saw it at a therapeutic preschool program where I worked. A lot of people with young children with sensory processing issues buy a Sit ;n' Spin, which is a toy that requires you to sit on a disk, and use a wheel in the middle to pull themselves in a circle. I have not seen many kids actually use a Sit 'n' Spin... i think you have to be pretty small (probably under 2 years old) to be able to use it right.

Now, the Dizzy Disc Jr.... this is something else entirely! It is a disk which you can either sit criss-cross on, kneel on, lie across, or even stand on! If you sit criss-cross on it (or maybe with your legs sticking out) you can make it spin by leaning in one direction or another. Gravity will get you spinning like crazy. You can also adjust the angle of the disk, for even faster spinning power. I love this thing! Also, it supports up to 150 pounds, and probably more, so it can safely be used by older kids. I used to sit on this thing and spin on it quite often when I worked at a place that had it. Another way to use it is to lie across it, and use your arms to spin yourself. I've seen occupational therapists have children use it this way. I have never tried it standing up, but probably people with better coordination than e can do it

I want one! Buy one and send it to me, okay? Right now!

Another version is the Spin Disc, aka Gym Spin. This is a disk that is a little wider than the Dizzy Disc, and has handles on the sides for you to hang onto.  It does pretty much all the same things as a Dizzy Disc, plus you can apparently put something like a feeder seat or seat pad on it for kids who need assistance or more sensory input. I have never seen one of these in person, but I have watched several video reviews on it. It looks sturdy, but says it only accommodates up to 125 pounds. The bad news is, a lot of reviews I've read on it report that it broke after a month or so, and that the company would not replace it. So, do your own research... I wouldn't recommend this one as strongly as I would the Dizzy Disc.

Somewhere in the world is the original Dizzy Disc (not Jr) that can accommodate even more weight than the Dizzy Disc Jr. I have never seen it. It might just be a legend.

Heatable Hooty

The following info was originally published on my blog Diary Of An Alien.


At Marshalls, I found this really cool thing that I wanted to get for my nephew, which is a stuffed animal that can be microwaved to make it warm, and it has a calming scent in it. Only then I remembered that my brother and sister-in-law don't have a microwave! I thought maybe they could put it in the oven instead, but my mom said it would probably catch on fire that way, so I decided to forgo getting one for Squeak for the time being. But the stuffed animals were so adorable! And you know I have a soft place in my heart for stuffed animals. I also have a soft place in my heart for things that smell good. I am a very sensory-seeking person. So I ended up getting one for myself! Meet my new Heatable Hooty! 

Bringing Hooty home

Hooty warming up

I popped Hooty in the microwave for 90 seconds, as directed by the box. When I took him out, he was all warm and smelled pleasantly of lavender! It is really cold in my house, and even though I am wearing wool pants under my jeans and also a fleece sweatshirt, I was still really cold, so I was glad to have Hooty to warm me up! I am planning to heat him up again right before I go to bed, so I can put him on my pillow and he can help me fall asleep. I was thinking to myself that he'd probably also come in really handy whenever I have an earache, or a headache, because I can just lay right on him and let him relax my muscles.

Hooty comforts me and keeps me warm!

This is not a sponsored review... obviously, seeing as how I just told you I bought Hooty at Marshalls with my own money a few hours ago... but I thought I would post about him anyways because I like him, and some people might appreciate interesting ideas for holiday or birthday presents for kids. 

When I was looking at some of the Amazon reviews, a few people worried that this would be a really dangerous toy to give a kid. So I just wanted to point out, Hooty is not necessarily meant to be a toy. He's more of a comfort item. He'd make a nice stuffed animal even if you didn't heat him up. But definitely, if he's going to be heated, an adult should do the heating. If Hooty gets too hot, and your child cuddles him, obviously there is a burning risk. So make sure to follow the directions for microwaving, and don't put him in there for too long. I put him in for a minute and a half, and he was nice and toasty. If you're microwaving him for a child, make sure to test him to make sure he's not too hot. His stomach seems to get the hottest, so pay special attention to that area. I also shook him around a little to mix up the material inside so there wouldn't be any super "hot spots." 

Okay, now you can mock me for being like a little kid and getting a stuffed heatable animal! You know you would enjoy one too. He smells so nice, even now that he's cooled off, and he's so soft and squishy!

Another thing I just thought of... I like the smell of lavender, but not everyone does. I think the company chose lavender as the scent because it is a naturally calming aroma. A lot of baby lotions made with natural ingredients use lavender, especially those meant to help the baby fall asleep or be comforted. But if a child hates the smell, or is really sensitive to it and gets headaches or something, it won't work! So you might want to check before you get this as a gift for a child you don't know well.

See It And Sign It Game

See It And Sign It Game
Ages: 5 and up
This is a game that helps people to learn American Sign Language. This would be a great game for any child who is interested in learning ASL. Classmates and siblings of deaf children will have a fun way to learn to communicate. It could also be especially beneficial for children who have trouble with verbal communication, or children who are nonverbal. First of all, unlike with most games, a nonverbal person will not be at a disadvantage... everyone will be using their hands and bodies. Second of all, it can give the person a new way to communicate, as they begin learning simple ASL words that they can use in their everyday lives. I want to learn ASL, and I'd love to try this game, even though it is marketed to children! It also comes with a DVD to help you learn.

Raised Line and Braille Coloring/Paint Book

Raised Line And Braille Coloring and Paint Book
Ages: 2 and up
This is a coloring book that is great for blind children or children with visual impairments, because the raised lines show them where the picture is. It is also great for any children with sensory needs, and children who need to practice fine motor skills, because the raised lines can help them have more control over where they are coloring. The thick pages can be used with crayons, markers, water colors, Do-A-Dots, etc. There are only 12 pictures in the whole book, so you might want to buy Book 2 as well.

Mozart Magic Cube

Mozart Magic Cube
Ages: birth and up
This is marketed for infants and toddlers, but I can see how it would work well as a calming toy for older children as well. Each side of the cube has a large button. When pressed, it will play a classic Mozart song. (By the way, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" is actually a Mozart tune.) Lights flash in rhythm to the music. After you've chosen a song, if you push any of the other sides of the cube, another instrument chimes in. Watch this video to see for yourself!

Buddha Board

Buddha Board
Ages: 3 and up
One of the things I struggle with is relaxation and mindfulness. Actually that is two things. Oh well. The point is, it is good for me to have things that can help me "actively relax." Some people might be able to relax by just sitting quietly and meditating. I, like many others with ADHD or autism, have a lot of trouble doing that. If I have something quiet and simple that I can concentrate on, it can really help me get centered.
Buddhist monks have, throughout history, painted with water on stone. They make a picture, and then watch it slowly disappear. The Buddha board is the same idea. Painting on the board, and then watching your picture fade away, can have a strangely calming effect. You could also use it to write or draw something you're worried or upset about, and then watch it fade away, symbolically sending the thought away. Or, just have children use it to practice their writing or fine motor skills!

Solar Photography Paper

SunPrint Paper Kit
Ages: 7 and up
When I worked with kids, one of the activities I liked to do in the summer was lay sheets of colored construction paper somewhere outside in the sun, and then have the kids find little things to put on top of the paper... a bottle cap maybe, a fork, a toy car, a flower. We would then go about our business for the day. At the end of the day we'd move all of the items off the paper, and find that the sun had "painted" a picture of the things we'd left there!
SunPrint paper is the same basic idea, but just way more vivid than plain construction paper. It is special paper that undergoes a chemical change in the sun. Looking online, I found some cool things people had done. If you have old photo negatives, you can lay them on the paper and see what happens. Or an X-ray. You could draw a picture on a clear plastic pane (like one of those overhead projector sheets) and then lay it on the paper. The ideas are endless. This can be for children or adults, because you can really work at your own level and do your own thing with this paper. That is why I wish I had some RIGHT NOW!

Yottsugo

Yottsugo
Ages: 12 and up
Number of players: 1 or more
This is a fun word game that you can play by yourself, or while collaborating with others. You select a clue card that gives you 16 letters. Each letter is on a puzzle piece. When put together right, the letters will be in a 4X4 grid that will work out to spell four words across and four words down. However, if you are having trouble solving the puzzle, you can unfold part of the clue card. Each time you unfold the card, a flap gives you a clue for how to solve the puzzle... it might give you clues to some of the words used, or the locations of a few of the letters. It is simple, yet challenging! I am adding this to my Christmas list!

The Art Of Conversation

The Art Of Conversation
Ages: 8 and up
I know that many adults with autism spectrum disorders do not enjoy making small talk. (By small talk, I mean, the meaningless conversations people have with acquaintances, like "How are you?" and "So, nice weather we're having," and "What do you do for a living?") And I don't think we're the only ones... there must be plenty of others out there who would rather avoid it! For this reason, people may choose to avoid going to social gatherings where they'll be expected to talk with people they don't know well... for instance, a dinner party the neighbors are throwing. With these cards, you can skip over the small talk, and get right to actual conversation by answering thought-provoking questions. It comes with a booklet that gives suggestions for how to use the cards. They are meant for adults, but  the reviews I've read said that the questions on the cards are family-friendly and that they've been used with children as young as 8 being part of the group. I'd like to buy these... it sounds kind of like the Ungame!

PS... If you are looking for a similar game that could be used with younger children, or people with more limited conversational skills, try these: Chat Pack For Kids,  or Melissa And Doug Family Dinner Box Of Questions.

Dino Pet

Dino Pet
Ages: 3 and up
Wow, it is a glowing plastic dinosaur! What a nice night-light! But what makes it glow like that? It is filled with bioluminescent plankton called dinoflaggelates. You may have seen these in the ocean in some places. These plankton are what cause the "glowing waves" at night in places like California, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. This is a lovely pet that is very easy to care for. Keep the plastic dinosaur in a spot with indirect sunlight (near a window, but maybe not directly on the windowsill) and feed it some of the "dino food" that comes with it. At night, it will glow. Now I really want one of those!

Wooden Marble Tree

Wooden Marble Tree
Ages: 3 and up
Similar to a marble run, this toy involves placing marbles at the top of the tree and letting them roll down through all of the levels. But this toy is different from other marble runs, because the leaves make musical tones as the marbles land on them. This toy can help kids with fine motor skills, as well as giving them visual and auditory stimulation. Who wouldn't like this? Click this video to see and hear what the marble tree does!

Magnatab

Magnatab
Ages: 3 and up
This is a cool tool for helping kids practice their fine motor skills and handwriting. It is a board with the alphabet on it. Underneath the board are lots of little metal beads. Using a magnetic stylus, you trace each letter. As you trace, the little beads pop up, showing your work. When you're ready to erase, you just use your finger! The idea is that the feeling of the magnetic pull will help kids develop muscle memory for writing their letters. I can't guarantee all that... but I do think that this is a fun way to practice handwriting! You can also get Magnatabs for lowercase letters, numbers, cursive uppercase letters, and cursive lowercase letters.

Watch this video to see how the Magnatab works!

Braille and ASL Blocks

Braille and ASL Blocks
Ages: 2 and up
Is there anyone out there who did not have a set of alphabet blocks when they were growing up? You know the kind I'm talking about, right? Well, the future of alphabet blocks is here!
On one side of each block is a letter of the alphabet, printed on the block in the traditional way that we've all seen before on alphabet blocks.
On another side is the letter, embossed so that a person can easily trace it with their fingers, as well as the braille cell for that letter.
On still another side is a picture of the letter being formed in American Sign Language.
Since it is a block, there are three more sides, at least one of which has a number. At least some of the blocks have an arithmetic symbol, like a plus or minus sign, so that you can even use them to practice math problems!
I should also mention that they are made from sustainable Michigan basswood.
If you ask me, these cool blocks are worth the price. Every child should have these!

Worry Eater

Worry Eaters
I deal with alarmingly high levels of anxiety. I have experienced this since I was a little kid. I don't think a Worry Eater would cure my anxiety, but it really might help! It is a little stuffed monster with a mouth that can be zipped open and shut. You can write your worries down on a piece of paper, "feed" it to the monster, and then zip it shut. This is a great way to symbolically set aside your worries for a while. The visual and kinesthetic experience can help children learn to manage their anxiety. There are eight of these monsters to choose from: besides Schnulli, there is Polly, Saggo, Enno, Flamm, Bill, Betti, and Flint.

I did find this kind of humorous disclaimer on the Haywire website: DISCLAIMER: The toy does not take away the worry, literally. The phrases “we eat your worries” and “worry eaters” are not used in the literal sense to indicate that the worry will be taken away. The phrases are used in the non-literal sense to be rhetorical or whimsical. The toy will not eat the child’s worry. The worry will not be gone forever. The toy is not a replacement for sound and compassionate psychological support by a professional or a trusted adult. 

Keep that in mind, folks.  

Organs

You've seen stuffed doggies, stuffed kitties, stuffed teddy bears... but what about a stuffed heart, a stuffed brain, or a stuffed gallbladder? These were created to be lighthearted gifts for people who were ill. Imagine your grandfather just had a heart attack, and you bring him the stuffed heart! It would be good for a chuckle, and a lot more memorable than a bouquet of flowers or a mushy card! However, kids and adults who are interested in anatomy will also love these weird plush toys.
Besides the stuffed heart, you can get a brain,  gall bladder, pancreas, colon, lungs, appendix, spleen, bladder, intestines, liver, and even a rectum or a uterus! Who could have imagined?

Cloud b Night Light

This is another thing I wish I had. Many people with various special needs have trouble falling asleep at night. Our minds tend to go to quickly, or our bodies have too much energy, or both. It is a good idea to do as much as you can to create a calming, pleasant sleeping environment. I love the idea of a Cloud b night light. They are meant for children as young as birth, but can definitely be enjoyed by people of all ages. Here are some of the different types they have available.




Tranquil Turtle
This turtle projects an underwater effect around the room. It also has a sound machine that can play either a lullaby, or the sound of ocean waves.



Twilight Buddies
These animals project constellations onto the ceiling and walls. They come in many different options, including alligator, bunny, hippo, ladybug, horse, pegasus, unicorn, blue turtle, mocha turtle, and purple turtle. Some of them are cheaper than others. The least expensive one I found was the ladybug, which was just under $27. The most expensive one was the original, the mocha turtle, which was $56. I don't know why... they all seem to do the same things!

'
Twinkles To Go Octopus
This is a smaller, less expensive, more portable version of the Twilight Buddies. It projects stars on the ceiling and walls as well. You can also buy it in pink.


Stay Asleep Hedgehog
This hedgehog does several things.  First of all, unlike a regular night light, you can snuggle with it. At night, it glows with a calming amber light and plays a lullaby. It has a timer to shut it off after 45 minutes. Throughout the night, it can be reactivated if the baby wakes up and starts to move around. In the morning, it glows green and plays a cheerful "Wake up" song. Very awesome!


Twinkling Firefly 
This one is another snuggly nightlight that can get in bed with you. It's belly twinkles! It has two sound options... rain with crickets chirping, or a lullaby. You can also choose to turn the music off and just have the twinkling lights. It also has a timer to shut itself off after 45 minutes.


Glow Cuddles Bear
This one may be my favorite, and not just because I have a soft spot for teddybears. This bear has a heartbeat! (You can also put it on vibrate instead.) He  glows softly. The heart can be removed so that you can machine wash the bear. There is a bunny version as well. LOVE IT!


Twilight Sunshine Owl
I don't know why this has the word "sunshine" in it, because it is really for night time. It projects stars onto the walls and ceiling, cycling through the colors blue, green and red.

Whichever one of these you choose, it will be sure to help provide a comforting night of sleep!

Smanimals

Smanimals Scented Stuffed Animals
Ages: 3 and up
Aaaaaaah! I need to stop finding things that I love! Why didn't they have these when I was young? Is it too late for me to ask for one of these>
A Smanimal is a stuffed animal filled with scented eco-friendly ceramic clay beads. The scent is guaranteed to last at least two years! Each animal is about six inches tall, and comes in it's own egg for you to "hatch." 

There are a whole bunch of animals, each with their own scent. I wish I could smell them through the computer! Besides the one that is listed above, there are...
A chipmunk that smells like mint chocolate 
A llama that smells like pink lemonade
A dinosaur that smells like sour apple
A kangaroo that smells like rootbeer
A crocodile that smells like pickles
A bear cub that smells like strawberries
An orangutan that smells like oranges
A cockatiel that smells fruity and
A panda that smells like pears. 

Somebody send me one of these! Uh... so I can give it to a little kid. Yeah. A kid. 

Hide And Seek Safari

Hide And Seek Safari
Ages: 4 and up
Number of players: 2 or more
I first came across this game several years ago when I was a full time caregiver to three children under the age of 7. They had a blast with this game, and it entertained them for quite a while! It is sort of like the game of "hotter-colder," but more high tech. The way you play is, one person hides the animal somewhere in the house or yard or whatever area you're playing in. Then someone else uses the wand to find the tiger. The wand has five lights on it. When you start getting a little closer to the tiger, one light will turn green. The closer you get, the more lights will turn green. When you get really, really close to the tiger, it will start beeping!
The only annoying thing is that it only comes with one wand, so really only two people can play at a time,,, the one hiding the object, and the one looking for it. Of course, you could take turns. You can also buy an extra wand or two.

They also have a version for littler kids, or those who have trouble understanding the lights on the wands for the first game. In Hide And Seek Safari JR, one person hides an animal, and the other person tries to find it using a wand. But instead of using a light system, this game uses sound. When the wand starts to get close to the stuffed animal, the animal "hears" it and starts to make noise. The player then follows the noise in order to find the stuffed animal! This version could probably be understood and played by children as young as 2 years old.



Watch this video to see the Hide and Seek Safari game reviewed by a 6-year-old named Hayden!

Beyond Playdough

I love things I can touch and squish... things that are pleasing to my sense of touch. Anything that is soft, or bumpy, or textured, or squeezable, is fascinating to me! This will probably be my favorite entry in this gift guide, as I list for you some of the many putties, doughs, clays, and more, that can be offered to kids with sensory needs.


Playfoam
This is a "dough" made of lots of little foam beads that are somehow stuck together by a mysterious, not-sticky, colored substance. It has a really interesting texture that is hard for me to stop playing with. It is a little bit like a Rice Krispie treat, maybe, but not that sticky. It doesn't stick to furniture or clothing. You can mold it into shapes that you like. It supposedly does not dry out like regular clay. Here is an adorable review video for you to watch.




Bubber
I got to try this out while working at the summer camp. I probably played with it as much as the kids did! It is moldable like regular clay, but extremely lightweight, fluffy, and soft! It is non-toxic, contains no gluten, and never dries out. You can mold it into different shapes, slice it, etc. I could play with it forever!


Skwooshi
This is a type of molding dough that seems to be a combination between regular playdough, and Kinetic Sand. I have never used it so I don't know exactly how it feels like, but from what I've read, it feels  a little like playdough but maybe dryer. You can squish it and mold it just like playdough. But if you pull it apart, it turns into sand that moves by itself and sort of drizzles out of your hands! I can see how this would provide me (and other sensory seekers) with hours of relaxation and fun.


Thinking Putty
I really want to try this stuff out but I haven't had the chance yet... I've just watched a whole lot of videos about it! It looks and feels a lot like "silly putty," but it also does interesting things. There are several different kinds. The kind I thought was the coolest was the Super Scarab, which has sort of a metallic gleen to it.. sort of like when you look at a puddle of oil and you can see different colors shining through. They also have a kind that is magnetic, a kind that glows in the dark, a kind that changes color, a kind that is clear, and all sorts of different colors, including Mistletoe Madness and Zombie Flesh. I really want to try some! Maybe your kids will find it in their stockings this year!

Those are all the doughs and putties I know of. If you know of more, please share!

Primary Science Color Mixing Set

Primary Science Color Mixing Set
Ages: 3 and up
This is advertised as if for very young children, but I think older kids might like it too! I'm especially thinking of one 11-year-old boy I knew who loved when we did activities involving food colors... he wanted to mix them all together to create "potions." With this color mixing kit, one of the things you can do is mix drops of color together in a test tube to see what new colors they will create. You can also decide which colors to add to a customizable kaleidoscope, look through glasses with different colored lenses, spin a top that you can add different colored disks to, and more. This would be fun for anyone who is learning colors, likes colors, is visually stimulated by colors, or just wants to explore colors.

Animal Soundtracks
Ages: 4 and up
Number of players: 1 to 4
I like the sound of this game! This is like a BINGO game, where you cover up pictures of animals as they are called. But instead of  hearing the name of the animal, or seeing a picture of the animal, you hear the sound of the animal on a CD! I'm guessing you put the CD on shuffle so that they are not called in the same order every time. This requires kids to use their listening skills to identify the animal and then find the right picture. No reading skills required! This game can be planed alone or with other players.

Spirograph
Ages: 3 and up
This is the original Spirograph, which is still probably more modern than the one I had when I was a kid! I recommend this for kids and adults who are interested in designs, lines, and patterns. YOu can make cool designs like this!

Train Poster

Many kids and adults like to memorize the names of, and information about, the things they are interested in. With an educational poster about trains, the train lover in your life can memorize to his heart's delight!



History Of Trains Poster
This one shows all of the different trains throughout history, as well of other information about trains.




Modorn Locomotives Poster
This one focuses on modern locomotives.


Both posters are 24x36, and would make a great addition to a bedroom or playroom for someone who is interested in trains!

Train Engineer Costume

Aeromax Jr. Train Engineer Costume
Sizes 4 to 10
For the train lover who dreams of being an engineer, it can be a lot of fun to dress like one! This costume, which comes in three different sizes, includes striped overalls and a matching hat, a red bandanna, and work gloves. It could also be used as a Halloween costume, but many kids might like to wear it all year round!

Train Crossing Sign

Train Crossing Sign
Who wouldn't want their very own train crossing sign? This sign also has flashing lights, just like a real one, and makes sounds like an oncoming train. (The sound can be turned off for those with sensitive ears.) Use it as a bedroom decoration, or add it to a train table!

Bubble Blowing Steam Locomotive

Steam Train Locomotive Bubble Blowing Bump And Go
Ages: 2 and up
This train is a lot of fun. Not only does it run by itself on a smooth surface, turn itself around when it bumps into something, and make music as it goes, but it also blows bubbles out of its smoke stack! It includes the bubble solution to get you started, although once you run out you can use any bubble solution you have on hand. It also includes a funnel to help fill the train with bubble solution without spilling any. I love watching this little train in action!

Train Set

Many children love trains! Train sets have been classic toys, probably since the time when trains were first invented! Chances are, you have a train lover in your life. Here are a few train sets that I think are pretty awesome!


Orbrium Toys Wooden Train Set
Ages: 3 and up
The cars on this train connect to each other with magnets. The train works well with most wooden tracks, including Thomas The Train, Chuggington, and Brio sets. You can add these cars to your existing train set to make a longer train, or just use them on their own! I like them because they are made of wood, brightly colored, and just look like fun.
 (If you don't already have a train track, here is a basic one that works with all of the above mentioned train sets, including this one.)



Want to get a little more serious with your gift giving? This is another Orbrium train set, but this one has 100 pieces, including the train tracks, train cars, vehicles, bridges, buildings, trees, and road signs!






Littler train lovers will enjoy My First Number Train. It includes a toy Duplo person and a toy dog to ride on the train! This is a good toy for children ages 1 through 5.





If you're looking for a more modern train set, try the WolVol Train. It does not need a track, and it runs on its own. It plays music, makes train sounds, and displays a colorful light show. When it bumps into something, it will turn and go the other way! This train does not require much imagination, which is why it is not one of my favorites... but I have to admit, it is cool to watch!


For the older and more serious train lover, the Bachmann Trains Thoroughbred Ready-to-Run HO Scale Train Set is a realistic model train set. It has a train track, plus a locomotive with a working headlight, two train cars, and a caboose. It also has controller switches where you can make the train go forward, reverse, pick up speed, or slow down. Of course the company sells additional items that can be added to the train, so this can be the beginning of a collection for a train lover!



Have fun with your trains!

Earthquake In A Can

Earthquake In A Can
Ages: 6 and up
This "earthquake" starts to vibrate wildly when tilted. You can then set it on a flat surface and watch how much it shakes. This can be a good demonstration of what an earthquake might feel like. Try setting something light on top of the can (like a small toy dinosaur) and see what happens when the can begins to shake! This is somewhat of a novelty toy because it isn't exactly scientific, but it would make a great toy for a kid who is interested in earthquakes!
Watch this video for a demonstration!

4M Weather Station Kit

4M Weather Station Kit
Ages: 8 and up
This is another kit for learning about weather. It includes a wind vane, an anemometer, a thermometer and a rain gauge. This set seems unique because you attach the contraption to the top of a water bottle or 2 liter bottle, and you can also put some plants inside the water bottle to use it as a terrarium and observe how the weather effects the growth of the plant. 
You can watch this video to see a review on it and to watch how the weather station works! 

Weather Lab

You Track It Weather Lab
Ages: 6 and up
For kids who want to learn about the weather, this is a good starter kit! It includes a weather vane, rain gauge, thermometer, compass, anemometer,  a glow-in-the-dark speed indicator, and a chart for keeping track of the weather from day to day. 
Keep in mind that this is more or less a toy, and the weather instruments are not the kind you might find in a high school science class. This is more of an introductory set for children who want to learn more about the weather. However, kids can have a lot of fun and learn a lot with it! 

Discovery Kids Extreme Weather Tornado Lab

Discovery Kids Extreme Weather Tornado Lab
Ages: 4 and up
This is not really a lab, but more like a display where you can view a miniature tornado in action. You can push buttons to control the speed of the tornado, and watch how it effects the little balls and foam squares inside it. You can look through the top of the container to get a birds-eye view of the vortex. It also makes tornado-like sound effects. One Amazon reviewer wrote, ."My 14 year old son has who has Autism is a very big fan of this tornado toy. He's always talking about tornados and when he got this for Christmas he was soooooooo happy. It spins so well and makes tornado noise like sounds." I think this would be a lot of fun to have!
Here is a video of a family that got a little creative with their Tornado Lab!

Galileo Thermometer

I've known several kids who loved learning about the weather. For the scientifically minded adult or child, the weather can be fascinating! What factors determine what the weather will be like? How are these factors measured?
I spent a lot of time looking for a children's weather station, but I couldn't find any that had consistently high reviews for quality and accuracy. Then I came upon something different... a Galileo thermometer! A Galileo thermometer is a cool looking thermometer that consists of different colored glass bubbles floating in a tube of clear liquid. I am no scientist, so I'm not really sure how to explain how it works, but if you want to find out (and explain it to your children... and to me...) you can read this web page. A Galileo thermometer can also be an educational project because you have to set it up yourself by adding the water and food coloring. The only thing I don't like about Galileo thermometers is that they will usually only work indoors, since most don't have a very wide temperature range... unless you live somewhere with a VERY mild climate! You might also want to explain to young weather enthusiasts that this is not the most accurate way of telling the temperature. The Galileo thermometer was invented in the 1600's, so it is primitive. In this digital age, kids are used to complete accuracy. It might be interesting for them to learn that, once upon a time, a lot of science was based on guesses!
I searched the Internet and found a few I liked. Want to see them? Sure you do!



Lily's Home Analog Weather Station
This one comes with a Galileo thermometer, a cool antique-looking hygrometer (which measures humidity. You probably already knew that.) and a glass barometer. I like it because of all of the different colors, and because it just looks fancy and scientific.


Ambient Weather Thermometer
This one may be a little more accurate than some others, because it has ten bubbles, separated by 4 degrees each. You can hang it in a window, and the sunlight looks very pretty shining through the colored bubbles.


Petite Weather Station
This one is cool because it also includes a Fitzroy Storm Glass, plus a  hygrometer and s clock. There are plenty of things to learn about here. Also it looks fancy.

Which one do you like best?

Dinosaur A to Z Puzzle

Dinosaur A to Z Puzzle
Ages: 2 and up
I've seen this puzzle in a lot of the early childhood rooms I've been in, and it is always one of the favorites! It is a high quality wooden puzzle that helps children learn the alphabet. Each puzzle piece has a letter on it. On one side of the puzzle, the letters are uppercase. On the other side, they are lowercase. I think a lot of children like the wooden puzzles because of the heavier pieces and the nice "click" sound they make when placed on the puzzle!

Dinosaurs Extinct? Board Game

Dinosaurs Extinct?
Ages: 3 and up
Number of Players: 2 to 4
This is a typical board game in that you use pawns, roll a die, and go a certain amount of spaces on a board. Some of the spaces contain an event that could have happened in a dinosaur's lifetime, such as a volcano, a meteorite, or an attack by another dinosaur. The event spaces have a number on them, and when you land on that number you have to roll the die again. If you roll a number higher than the one on the space, you have to flip up a section of a picture of your dinosaur, revealing one of his bones. If this happens to you three times, you get sent back to the beginning of the game. You might also have to have a battle with another dinosaur (by rolling a die and seeing who gets the higher number) if you both land on the same space. To win, you have to be the first to make it all the way to the end of the game!
This game seems to be most popular with the under-6 crowd. However, older dinosaurs might enjoy it too!

Dino Meal Game

Dino Meal Game
Ages: 4 and up
Number of players: 2 to 4
This game is somewhat on the same premises of "Don't Wake Daddy"... remember, that old game where you have to push an alarm clock button a certain number of times, and hope that this time the Daddy doesn't pop up out of bed? In the Dino Meal game, the object is to rescue stolen dinosaur eggs from a sleeping dinosaur's nest. You're supposed to use tweezers to extract the eggs from under a leaf. (Some reviews say that the tweezers are difficult to use, and it may be easier to reach in with your fingers if your child struggles with fine motor skills.) At any moment, the dinosaur might roar and lunge forward as you lift up the leaf! Warning: Some children might not like the startling aspect of the dinosaur lunging unexpectedly. (I watched one review video where the parents forced their bawling children to play the game... the kids were scared of the dinosaur!) Other children will be delighted by it. You just have to know your child and what they like. It might help to let them watch you play alone until the dinosaur does lunge and roar, so that they can see what it will look and sound like.
Here is a video of some children who seemed to be enjoying the dinosaur game, including the fun of being startled by the dinosaur!

Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Casting Kit

Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Casting Kit
Ages: 4 and up
Did you ever make something with Plaster of Paris when you were a kid? It is a lot of fun to start out with a mushy liquid, and end up with a cool model that you can paint! With this kit, you start out by pouring the plaster (which they call "Perfect Plaster" into the mold. After the plaster has hardened, you pop the pieces out of the molds, and then you get to paint them! The kit also includes magnets that you can attach to the back of each piece, so you can assemble it like a sort of puzzle on a magnetic surface. Some people opt to glue the pieces together instead. The mold can be reused again and again... either as a mold for more plaster, or as a playdough mold, or even as a candy or cookie mold!
The kit also includes a booklet that shares interesting facts about the dinosaur, as well as the name, and function, of each individual bone. Kids who enjoy memorizing the names of things will enjoy this aspect of the kit!